Scam Prevention

By Miranda Power | November 6, 2024

10/23/24 | Episode: 33 Don’t Get Hooked: How to Avoid Phishing Scams Phishing scams are among the most prevalent forms of online fraud. Scammers impersonate legitimate organizations, often sending emails or texts that look authentic, asking for sensitive information like passwords or credit card details. The goal is to trick you into providing personal information…

Timing The Market

By Miranda Power | October 9, 2024

When it comes to investing, many people think they can outsmart the market by timing their trades—buying low and selling high. However, stock market timing is fraught with risks and often leads to disappointing results. Let’s explore why trying to time the market can be dangerous and what you can do instead. 9-25-2024 Episode 29…

Cybersecurity for Financial Information

By Miranda Power | August 7, 2024

Strong Passwords and Authentication – 8/7/24 Protecting your identity online begins with the basics: secure passwords and robust authentication. Start by creating strong, unique passwords for each of your accounts. A strong password typically includes a mix of uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters. Avoid using easily guessable information like birthdays or common…

The Impact of the Federal Reserve

By Miranda Power | June 26, 2024

June 26th – Ep. 19 – Introduction to the Federal Reserve The Federal Reserve, often simply called “the Fed,” is the central banking system of the United States. Established in 1913, its primary mission is to promote a stable economy by overseeing monetary policy, regulating banks, and maintaining financial stability. The Fed operates independently of…

Real Estate

By Miranda Power | May 15, 2024

May 15th – Ep. 15 – Prepare for the Home Buying Process. May 22nd – Ep.16 – Mortgage Options May 29th – Ep. 17 – What Factors Drive Your Interest Rate. June 5th – Ep. 18 – Selling Your Home

Financial Literacy: Biblical Principles

By Miranda Power | April 3, 2024

Ep. 10 – Principle #1: Spend Less than you Earn The month of April has been deemed “Financial Literacy Month” by the US government. With this focus on financial literacy, we decided to get back to the basics for our April content. This is a great time to revisit the foundation of a solid financial…

Debunking Tax Myths

By Miranda Power | February 21, 2024

02/21/2024 – Ep. 7 Marginal Tax Brackets In the US, we operate under a federal marginal tax bracket system. What in the world does that mean? It’s actually quite simple – different portions of your income are taxed at different rates. Here’s an example: Bill and Sally make a combined income of $100,000 each year.…

Preparing for Tax Season: Ep. 3-6

By Miranda Power | January 17, 2024

01/17/2024 – Ep. 3 Get Your Documents – What Do You Need? To start your preparation for tax season, the first step is to keep your documents organized as you receive them. In order for your tax preparer to efficiently file your taxes (and potentially lower your preparation fee by saving them time), it can…

Set a Financial Goal for 2024

By Miranda Power | January 10, 2024

As you look back on your year and plan for 2024, spend some time reflecting on your finances. What went well? What didn’t go well? What caused you stress? What are you excited about? These questions can be helpful in framing up a financial goal for the year. When setting a goal, make sure to…

Review Your Savings Plan

By Miranda Power | January 3, 2024

Going into a new year, it’s important to review your savings rate to ensure that it will allow you to fund your short and long-term goals. As a general rule of thumb, 10-15% of your gross income should be directed towards long-term savings. While reviewing your savings rate, make sure to take a look to…